Ahead of next week's East Devon District Council elections, here you can read more about candidates standing in and around Axminster.

Below, candidates for the Beer & Branscombe, Coly Valley and Seaton wards have offered statements ahead of polling day on Thursday, May 4.

To find out more information on the upcoming election – including a list of candidates for all wards across East Devon or details of your local polling station – visit https://eastdevon.gov.uk/elections-and-registering-to-vote/election-information/

Don't forget, under new government guidelines, you will need to show proof of ID at the polling station. More details on acceptable forms of ID can be found at https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need

BEER & BRANSCOMBE

One seat available

Peter Burrows - Liberal Democrats

Peter Burrows

I have lived in Seaton for 27 years with my family, children and grandkids.  In that time l have served on the district and town councils. 

I have been an East Devon district councillor for 13 years and have stood for election as county councillor, in Beer & Branscombe, following the wonderful Margaret Rogers.  I served on the Planning Committee fighting for the locals against excessive development.  

I very much understand the effect of second homes has on the community and would do my utmost to stop the spread as it is detrimental to the local economy especially during the quieter months. Council tax should be tripled! It is also forcing locals to find places elsewhere which is unacceptable. 

I have been involved with the carnival committee for over 20 years, currently chair, and it remains a very successful organisation with great people and friends.  I am on the committee of the Friends of Seaton Library, belong to Axe Vale & District Conservation Society and Axe Valley Heritage Association. 

I am a member of Greenpeace and Surfers Against Sewage and I am the lead on the Plastic Free Seaton group, which organises beach and town cleans and encourages people to be aware of their environment. 

As we are blessed here with a wonderful location, we must make sure we are not subjected to aggressive pollution from the water companies who have spent little money in upkeeping the infrastructure that should stop leaks and spills. We also have problems with some landowners who should be more vigilant. 

John Heath - Independent

John Heath

I have been a resident of Beer for the last 13 years, and am contesting the Beer & Branscombe seat on East Devon District Council as an Independent.

I was born and raised in Exeter and have worked as a front-line child protection social worker, manager, and social work inspector. 

Being newly retired I can devote all my time and energy to ensuring our communities have a dedicated councillor. I promise you that I will listen to your concerns and ensure your views are represented. 

Being a member of Beer Parish Council means I have contributed to the life and wellbeing of the village. I was interviewed earlier this year on Spotlight Southwest and on Radio Devon about EDDC's plans to demolish a den in The Jubilee Gardens built by local boys based on inaccurate information and failing to consult with the Parish Council.

I feel passionately about issues affecting our communities including:

• The lack of affordable housing for local people or key public workers. I support a mix of local authority rented accommodation and supported homeownership.
• I support restricting the number of second homeowners and charging these people additional council tax.
• I believe in integrity and transparency in serving my local community.
• It is unacceptable for our local health facilities to have been closed or reduced as this puts a colossal strain on regional hospitals. There are a significant number of elderly people in coastal communities, and they deserve local, targeted services.
•  Local businesses need support to flourish as these benefit locals and visitors alike. I will do whatever I can to ensure businesses are protected and promoted.
• Poverty can be resolved through local support and representation. Poverty and housing issues are not just applicable to urban communities.
• Public transport has been reduced and I will advocate for an improvement in bus services as living in a village without access to decent private transport can be isolating and restricts mobility especially for the elderly and those with private transport.
• The poor state of our roads is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.

Also standing in Beer & Branscombe is Maria Hall - Conservative.

COLY VALLEY

Two seats available

Paul Arnott - Liberal Democrats

Paul Arnott

Paul has lived in East Devon for more than a quarter of a century, and in Colyton with his family for over 20 years. Locally, he led the committee which built the Reece Strawbridge Centre where he remains the chair of trustees, and for many years was a youth football coach. He became a reforming parish councillor in 2007 and your district councillor for the Coly Valley 2019. 

In May 2020, just as the Covid crisis was beginning, Paul was asked by fellow councillors to lead a Democratic Alliance of Lib Dems, Independents and Greens at EDDC. He has been leader for the last three years. As leader, he made sure that millions of pounds in Covid recovery funds went to local businesses and took on Conservative interest groups in planning and development by shutting down EDDC's involvement in the unaccountable Greater Exeter Strategic Plan.

His administration is unique in Devon's districts in not having to plunder reserves to balance the books. This stands in stark contrast to the Conservative run county council, which has a huge deficit, is on the verge of being put into special measures, and has been condemned for failed children's services.

At East Devon, Paul created new economic strategies from tourism to culture and entertainment. He is particularly focussed on growth in the Axe Valley. His administration has identified the outstanding Seaton Tramway as the future management for the closed Seaton Jurassic Centre, a Conservative mess, which should reopen this time next year. Crucially, his administration has begun a new housing strategy where truly affordable homes for people of all ages will be central if re-elected in the next four-year strategy.

Paul publicly backed Richard Foord to become our new MP last year, joining the Lib Dems to do so, and as leader and MP they have made very strong advocates for East Devon nationally.

Helen Parr & John Tristram - Conservative

Helen Parr and John Tristram

Helen Parr has represented Coly Valley ward on East Devon District Council since 2003. She said: "We must keep our rural communities sustainable, support our businesses and shops, making sure there are homes and work spaces for young people, protecting the environment and controlling inappropriate development."

John Tristram is chairman of Offwell Parish Council, a volunteer for Offwell Woodlands and the parish paths co-ordinator. John said: "Our villages must be safe places to walk around and I will press for safe A35 access to bus services." 

He is active in the community, a bell ringer and Northleigh Valley Trouper. He will continue to work hard to conserve our beautiful environment and push to increase Recycling

Residents are Helen and John's priority. 

"We will support projects which deliver homes our young local families can afford, in the right place, and small scale employment units for local businesses."

Helen and John support affordable homes, to match local need, such as the small Upper Coly Valley CLT scheme at Northleigh, delivering six new homes for young local people. 

"We need more affordable homes for young local people to buy and rent. They are the future and we must help them to stay here and keep our communities sustainable.

"We will fight to keep the vital public toilets in Dolphin Street, Colyton which are essential services. We will also continue to work to find solutions to parking issues and problems along the A35 and A3052."

SEATON

Three seats available

Honey Barlow Marshall - Labour

Honey Barlow Marshall

I'm Honey and I'm standing to be your Labour and Co Operative councillor on May 4. 

Having been active with the Labour Party since I was 14, I have gained a wide range of knowledge about our local area and the needs and issues of local people. I will push for a council that properly represents us. 

In Seaton particularly, we need to see more progress in our facilities for young people and funding be allocated to this specifically. This will not only help tackle anti-social behaviour but also improve the futures of our young people. 

Having grown up in the area and attended local schools, I understand the problems that our young people face and will ensure that their voices are heard. Seeing the success of a Labour council in Liverpool, whilst at university, I know that a Labour and Co operative council is what our local area needs. 

I will use my campaigning experience and passion in our community to ensure that Seaton can be properly spoken for.

Derek Haggerty & Marcus Hartnell - Conservative

Marcus Hartnell (left) and Del Haggerty

We have worked hard over the past four years to improve day to day life for everyone in Seaton. We have helped to deliver beach matting to improve accessibility for the less able, organised events that bring our community together such as the Queen's Platinum Jubilee party at Cliff Field. Most importantly, we have raised the profile of Seaton by pushing the tourism and 'coach friendly' agendas. 

We seek your support to continue working for you. You've told us that more needs to be done to keep our lovely town looking at its best, so we want East Devon District Council and Seaton Town Council to work closely together, making our floral displays bigger and brighter, our bus shelters clean and pristine, and our streets, parks and gardens free of litter.

We will protect public toilets and explore innovative ways to get best value and better provision from them, so your council tax is spent wisely.

More affordable homes are needed for local people, as well as improving the quality of district council homes. This must be achieved with sensitivity, preserving our stunning natural environment and securing improvements to local infrastructure. It's simply not good enough to say that those with roots here who can't find a home should live elsewhere, especially if they work here. 

We both support a further bid to attract levelling up funding from government to invest in our seafront and provide local employment opportunities. Working jointly at every tier of local government we will ensure Seaton's voice is heard, which is why we think we are the best team to deliver a better future for Seaton.

Steve Hunt - Liberal Democrats

Steve Hunt

I was the managing director of a British company that exported its products world-wide. I have been a district councillor in East Hampshire, where I was the leader of the opposition. The Lib Dem group I led managed to get a climate emergency recognised locally and cost-of -living help for residents through the council unanimously. 

My parents lived in Seaton for more than 20 years, and I was my father's full-time career last year when I moved to Seaton. I love Seaton because it's a real working town. But even a quick walk around the town reveals so many closed shops and businesses.

We absolutely need reform of business rates, to stop out of town shopping continuing to kill our town centre businesses. Residents are fed up with ever increasing car park charges, but totally free car parking is not the answer. Local businesses suffer when town car parks are filled all day with parked vehicles not using local businesses. Some limited one-hour parking might boost town centre businesses. All district car parks should offer rapid charging points for electric vehicles.

I have extensive experience on planning. We need a green local plan that delivers for people and the environment. The housing numbers set for East Devon District Council by government take no account of the fact that two thirds of the district are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). If we rely on government calculations we cannot make a strategic Local Plan, because there are few options for suitable land. EDDC must challenge the "standard formula" used to calculate our housing need taking AONBs into account.

I'd like to see a return to building council houses where the rents are affordable, the running costs low and still make a return on the investment by the council. 

We are blessed in Seaton to have the Wetlands. They not only provide a sanctuary for wildlife but also a place to boost people's well-being. I totally support not only protecting the Seaton Wetlands but also expanding them. 

Seaton is a great place to live but needs higher priority in EDDC plans. 

Daniel Ledger - Independent

Daniel Ledger

Four years ago I chose to be an independent as I believed national politics has no place at a local level. Every issue should be taken on its own merit, prioritising what is best for the area. Simply put, place should always come before any political party and that is exactly what I intend to continue to do for Seaton.

Having lived and grown up in Seaton my whole life, other than a short stint away for university, Seaton is well and truly my home. I think it's easy for all to see the amazing qualities Seaton has to offer. Our only issue is that we lack vital investment in certain areas to take the town to that next step. 

Since 2019, I've focused much of my time setting up a social home development service within the council. The next year will hopefully mark the first time in decades that the council will develop its own housing that will be all social rent. An example of the type of modular housing EDDC aim to deliver is now on show in the council's Honiton office car park. 

Some other works that I've been involved in include chairing the council's poverty panel which works to reduce poverty within the district. We've gained full funding for the Seaton Beach Management Plan. And through the amazing work of officers from both the town and district councils, we've seen delivery of projects such as the sensory garden, beach matting, west walk light upgrades and the outdoor gym. 

My priorities if re-elected are to: 

• Deliver new social homes for the district
• Ensure the redevelopment of the moridunum
• Bring Seaton Jurassic back into use ASAP alongside expanding and enhancing Seaton Wetlands
• Fight for sustainable homes in sustainable locations with the necessary infrastructure to support it
• Continue to help and support those impacted by the cost of living crisis
• Keep holding South West Water to account, push to bring an end to sewage in our bathing waters
• Maintain the provision of public toilets in the town

All the above statements were supplied by candidates personally. All candidates for the above wards were offered the opportunity to submit a statement up to the same maximum word count, by the same deadline. Some chose to submit joint statements. 

Click here for details on candidates for Seaton Town Council election, which will also be held on May 4.